MANU ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

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NOOOOOOO!


Thank you, Manu!

EDIT to add this amazing rertrospective tribute to Manu on spurs.com - GRACIAS MANU

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MANU GINOBILI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Four-Time NBA Champion Concludes 16-Year Career in San Antonio

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili today announced that he will retire after a 23-year professional career.

In 16 seasons with the Spurs, Ginobili captured four NBA championships while posting a career winning percentage of .721 (762-295), which is the best winning percentage in NBA history among players who have appeared in at least 1,000 games.

Ginobili, who was selected by San Antonio with the 57th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, appeared in 1,057 career games, averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.32 steals in 25.4 minutes. He is the Spurs all-time leader in three-pointers made (1,495) and steals (1,392), while ranking third in games played (1,057), fourth in assists (4,001), fourth in free throws made (3,380) and fifth in points (14,043). Ginobili was named to the All-NBA Third Team in both 2008 and 2011 and was a two-time All-Star (2005 and 2011). The 2008 NBA Sixth Man of the Year is the first sixth man, as well as the first South American, to earn All-NBA honors.

The four-time NBA champion appeared in 218 career playoff games, averaging 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.34 steals in 27.9 minutes. Ginobili and LeBron James are the only two players in NBA postseason history with at least 3,000 points and 300 three-pointers in the playoffs. One of 10 players ever to appear in over 200 playoff games, he came off the bench 165 times and is the all-time leader in NBA postseason history as a reserve in points (2,014), assists (576), rebounds (635), steals (205), field goals made (630), three-pointers made (226) and free throws made (528). Ginobili and teammate Tony Parker combined to record 132 playoff wins together, which is the most victories by any duo in postseason history.

Ginobili is one of just seven players in NBA history to spend his entire career with one team while playing at least 16 seasons, along with Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, John Havlicek, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki and John Stockton. He is the first South American and just the second player drafted in the second round or later to appear in at least 1,000 games with one team.

Before signing with the Spurs in the summer of 2002, Ginobili played professionally in Argentina and Italy. He was named the 2001 EuroLeague MVP after leading Virtus Bologna to the EuroLeague Championship. In addition, Ginobili was named the Italian League MVP in both 2000–01 and 2001–02.

Ginobili played for the Argentinian National Team from 1998 to 2016, leading his home country to the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, a silver medal in the 2002 FIBA World Championship and a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics. Ginobili is one of only two players in history, along with Bill Bradley, to win a EuroLeague title, an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal.

https://www.nba.com/spurs/manu-ginobili-announces-retirement

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Ginobili calls it quits on a stunning career that earned him a permanent place in Spurs lore

His conclusion: It's time to pull the curtain down on one of the sports' most entertaining long-running shows.

For a franchise, a coach, a city, that adores Ginobili, it's tough news to take.

"I don't want him to ever retire," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said in 2017. "I want to squeeze every last ounce of juice I can. I'm going to use him like a bar of soap until there's nothing left."
But Popovich hinted last season that he knew it would likely be Ginobili's last.

"I try to touch him before every game and remember what he's meant to us over the years and how significant a factor he has been in our success," Popovich said. "I think I'm enjoying him more than ever because I feel like I'm about to lose him."

He was right.

Ginobili bows out just a month after his 41st birthday, making him the oldest player in franchise history. Remarkably, he averaged 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 65 games last season.

But what stood out more than anything about Emanuel David Ginobili was his full-throttle approach to the game.

While he lost his hair during his long career, his drive never diminished one bit....

After signing him in July 2002, they soon learned they had a player with the highest of motors. Ginobili was cutthroat competitor whose skill set included unorthodox, breakneck drives to the basket — often via the Euro-step he made famous — to go with a smooth 3-point stroke.

And then there was his passing. He threw behind his back, through opponents' legs and could do a no-look laser every bit as those fired by "Pistol" Pete Maravich, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Nicknamed "El Contusion" by teammate Brent Barry for his ability to sustain bumps and bruises with his reckless play, Ginobili was a key backup for the 2002-03 title team, averaging 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and nearly 3 assists per game in the playoffs.

Ginobili also holds a special place in team lore for the way he has gone out of his way to support and nurture younger players. That unselfishness resulted in younger players affectionally calling him "Gramps" and joking that "Grandpa Juice" has been the key to his ageless play.

"Manu is as good a teammate an anybody I have ever had," Kerr once said. "He is just an amazing human being."

https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-Manu-Ginobili-retires-career-Argentina-13052448.php

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[Cactus Jack]

A true legend.

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[imagump1313]

A sad day, but a great day! This one stings a little more than Timmy retiring or Tony leaving because he is the last one to go.
I wanted him to stay one more year to teach the young guys to be great but from the sounds of some of their comments, he has already done that. Now its up to them.

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I'd like to preface this by saying that this announcement, though not completely unexpected, felt like getting swept up in a wave and tossed around like a rag doll, and if I had written it yesterday I'd have to make changes given Manu's comments in a most recent article he penned. In it he explains that he played last year knowing in his heart that it would most likely be his last but he still wanted to leave a window open in case his feelings changed. Then throughout his workouts at the Spurs practice facility this summer, when he picked up the ball or did weights he didn't feel the same as before; that fire and drive were dissipating.

Yesterday I was a bit miffed at his two year contract not being honoured. His agent said Manu was weary of the travel but I thought well if you sign a two year deal, you think of that ahead of time. Outside of injuries, it's supposed to mean something when you commit to that. And that talk with Pop sounded more like Manu announcing his intentions rather than their discussing where his place on the team could be. It was widely reported that Manu would return if his family was ok with it and if the Spurs needed him, and the latter was a clear yes. But if a player doesn't have that desire anymore, and if he had to be talked into staying, well then it's not ideal for both sides.

But speaking of that talk, and I think I'm projecting some vexation at Tony onto Manu here, I really thought that Pop's situation would be more of a factor in their staying. Pop had an unimaginably difficult spring, this after a season-long haul with the manipulative functioning mute and his minions debacle, and we have five new additions with only Beli familiar with our system. That coupled with four experienced, great locker room players leaving has left some imbalance in imparting corporate knowledge; Patty is now our most experienced Spur, followed by LMA.

Tony made $32M the last two years and after a career-saving surgery and rehab, he up and left because he wanted more playing time. I thought based on how he looked last season that Manu could help, too, and he would play to the extent he felt comfortable, but again, he listened to his body and heart and is content with his choice. Looking at Manu after the final series, I felt that was the last we'd see of him, but then he delayed the decision so long I felt hopeful he got the juice to play again. Given Monday was Open Gym day I thought he'd return, alas, no and even with the extra year he signed for, I guess I understand better where he's coming from. And even though Tony was a FA and he earned the right to do what he wants, I thought that what Pop went through and the team's need for a vet presence, staying for a mentoring role and still some playing time would be a compromise he'd be willing to make given his previous contract (and it's clear we got way more out of Manu at his contract than Tony at his) and medical help. Yes, it's the medical staff's job to do the best possible, and yes he did his part in rehab, but there's also something to be said for a kind of continuation and reciprocity out of mutual respect.

Bottom line is that I thought Tony would/should have stayed and be there for the team, PATFO, and Pop to help bridge the corporate knowledge to the new players and help usher in the new era given Tony's and Pop's circumstances -- and Pop chose to stay and forge ahead despite his (then again, it may be rejuvenating for him to be busy and get a fresh start after last season). Manu made it clear that when he's in town he'd like to help out in practices or however Pop would like in some unofficial capacity, and that's good. Pop has been gracious in his comments about Tony getting a new opportunity and that it would be good for him, and there's no doubt he was gracious with Manu as well. I just thought that consideration would be more reciprocated, not out of obligation or pity, but a bond and brotherhood and regard for others' needs. These could have been ideally met by one who chose to play elsewhere but will be met (even if to a lesser extent) ironically by the player who gave his all on the court. Sort of leaves a hollow disappointment, but we go on with who wants to be here and for the right reasons.

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[-Sammy-]

This is tough; I'm finding it hard to encapsulate my thoughts and emotions, but it's sufficient for me to say that few athletes have ever meant as much to a community on so many levels as Gino has to SA. He will be missed and loved always.

[drummerdevil]

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[ObiWan_Ginobili]

Thank you Manu! What a wonderful ride your career was.

From carving up the Piston’s to Grampa Juice.

An absolute maestro on the court and I feel incredibly privileged to have seen your career unfold.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[G R E Y]

Manu for mayor? Jk, but this is quite an honour:

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[Frankie23]

As a Manu fan from the early days, watching most of his NBA career, it's been one of the sadest week that i can remember. Spent most of it watching videos, reading articles, listening to podcast about Manu and every time i felt like i was about to cry.

Gracias Manu

[Donald Kaufman]

A true professional. Made coming off the bench an art form.

[Donald Kaufman]

Yesterday I was a bit miffed at his two year contract not being honoured. His agent said Manu was weary of the travel but I thought well if you sign a two year deal, you think of that ahead of time. Outside of injuries, it's supposed to mean something when you commit to that. And that talk with Pop sounded more like Manu announcing his intentions rather than their discussing where his place on the team could be. It was widely reported that Manu would return if his family was ok with it and if the Spurs needed him, and the latter was a clear yes. But if a player doesn't have that desire anymore, and if he had to be talked into staying, well then it's not ideal for both sides.

Is it your money? Why do you care? He has a right to retire when he feels he can't go anymore. I think after all the years of loyal service, playing through pain, accepting a bench role etc. would be enough for most Spurs fans. Obviously not.